Let's "explore" Morioka City, selected as one of the "52 Places to Visit in 2023" by the NY Times!

  • Iwate
  • Sightseeing
Morioka Castle Ruins Park Tsurugaike Pond (Image courtesy of Iwate Prefecture Tourism Association)

A gem of a spot that can be reached in a few hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen bullet train, and can be visited on foot without crowds

Morioka City was selected as one of the "52 Places to Visit in 2023" announced by the New York Times on January 12, 2023.
Morioka was selected as the second place after London, the capital of the United Kingdom, for its historical buildings in the city center, its rivers and mountains where visitors can enjoy a stroll, its coffee shops, wanko soba, bookstores, jazz cafes, and other cultural attractions!
Morioka City is attracting a great deal of attention from around the world, and the JR East Travel Service Center Morioka staff will introduce you to some of the sightseeing spots in and around Morioka City.

Wankosoba, one of Morioka's three best noodles, at "Soba Restaurant Azumaya" established in 1907

Exterior view of "Soba Restaurant Azumaya" (Image provided by Azumaya Co., Ltd.)
Soba Restaurant "Azumaya" has been in business since 1907 as a soba restaurant. You can enjoy "wanko soba," a dish of hospitality unique to Iwate. The waiter's words, "Yes, jan-jan, jan-jan. Yes, more and more. the bowl is filled and a mouthful of buckwheat noodles is tossed into the bowl. If you are too full to eat any more, you can quickly fill your bowl! If you are too full to eat any more, quickly close the lid of the bowl. If you do not close the lid, the waiter will throw the buckwheat into your bowl. Please note that you are not allowed to leave any leftovers....
For the official website of "Soba Restaurant Azumaya", visit

Koiwai Farm, where you can enjoy abundant nature, experiences, and gourmet food with Mount Iwate in the background

Koiwai Farm "Uemaru Cowshed Grazing Landscape" (Image courtesy of Koiwai Noumaki Co., Ltd.)
Koiwai Farm is a 30-minute drive from JR Morioka Station, nestled in the bosom of nature with a view of Mount Iwate. It is a popular leisure spot in Iwate Prefecture that both adults and children can enjoy. Visitors can meet cows, horses, and sheep, and there is also a lot of playground equipment in the vast grounds! After a fun-filled day, enjoy eating delicious gourmet foods such as Koiwai beef, Jingisukan (Japanese mutton barbecue), pizza, and soft-serve ice cream.
You can also enjoy handmade experiences and activities♪ Enjoy the magnificent nature of Iwate Prefecture, which boasts the largest area in Honshu.
For the official website of "Koiwai Farm", visit

Morioka Tsunagi Onsen Aishinkan" boasts an open-air bath with garden jomon

Garden Jomon Open-air Bath (Image courtesy of Morioka Tsunagi Onsen Aishinkan)
Morioka Tsunagi Onsen Aishinkan, located in Morioka City, offers a variety of atmospheric baths, including a garden Jomon bath inspired by the Shidanai ruins located to the west of Tsunagi Onsen. You can enjoy the rich spring water to your heart's content. In March 2023, a new restaurant, "Morioka Cold Noodle and Yakiniku Black Beard Produced by Beard," will open, where you can enjoy Morioka Cold Noodle, one of the three most popular noodles in Morioka! This restaurant is produced by "Beard," a long-established yakiniku restaurant in Iwate Prefecture! You can enjoy delicious Morioka cold noodles and yakiniku at a hot spring inn♪

Connecting with Morioka Sansa Morioka Sansa Odori" Outline

Morioka Sansa Odori (Morioka Sansa Dance) can be viewed at Morioka Tsunagi Onsen Hotel Shion, the sister hotel of Aishinkan. You can experience the excitement of Morioka Sansa Odori dance.

*For details, please check the website of Morioka Tsunagi Onsen Tourist Association.
*Image and information provided by Morioka Tsunagi Onsen Aishinkan
For the official website of "Morioka Tsunagi Onsen Aishinkan", visit
For the official website of "Morioka Tsunagi Onsen Tourist Association", visit

Let's look back on the history of Morioka

Morioka History and Culture Museum (Image courtesy of Iwate Prefecture Tourism Association)
Morioka History and Culture Museum, located in a corner of Morioka Castle Ruins Park, allows visitors to trace the history and culture of Morioka. There are exhibits on Morioka Sansa Odori (Morioka Sansa Dance) and Chagu Chagu Umako (Chagu Chagu Horse Dance), which are representative of Morioka, and visitors can watch the festival on a large screen monitor. Be sure to take a picture with the life-size Chagu Chagu Umako, who is dressed in a glittering costume.
For the official website of "Morioka History & Culture Museum", visit
For reservations for "Morioka Area" (train + accommodations), please see [ JR East View Dynamic Rail Package ].
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